Ice vending machine



Jan. 1, 1935. w. H. CLAYTON ICE VENDING MACHINE Filed Nov. 1, .1930 6 Sheets-Sheet gwumtoc Mia?" C/afyfalp Jan. 1, 1935. wj CLAYTON 1,986,714

ICE VENDING MACHINE Filed Nov. 1, 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jamil, 1935- w. H. CLAYTON ICE VENDING MACHINE Filed NOV. 1, 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 W. H. CLAYTON ICE VENDING MACHINE Jan. 1, 1935.

6 Sheets-Sheet 4 gwuentoa Filed Nov. 1, 1930 Jan. 1, 1935. w. H. CLAYTON ICE VENDING MACHINE Filed NOV. 1 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet Patented Jan. 1, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 122%, Tex. App cation 11:03:: 11:13:,9 No. 492,801

r This invention relates to ice servers for'delivering ice blocks from the interior of'a storage chamber to the exterior thereof, and aims to provide improved automatic means for operating devices of this general class.

The invention further aims to provide an improved electrical controlling and actuating means, including a lock and coin release of improved construction and arrangement, and to provide simple and improved subsidiary elements and circuit connections of utility in connection with ice serving machines, and particularly to adapt such machines for vending ice automatically.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will appear from the following detailed description of a preferred form of machine embodying the same.

In the drawings forming cation:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a two unit coin actuated automatic ice server or vending machine embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof;

Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view drawn to a larger scale, taken at line 3-3 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 4 is a detail in perspective drawn to a larger scale, of the timing contact or stop switch shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a detail in perspective of the no-ice switch shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a wiring, diagram of the circuit which I prefer to employ in the illustrative machine;

Fig. 7 is a wiring diagram of a modified circuit which may be employed in whole or in part, in lieu of i the circuit shown in Fig. 6; v i

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a preferred form of coin actuated switch; and

Figs. 9 and 10 are longitudinal and transverse sectional views thereof, respectively, on the lines 9-9 and 10-10 in Fig. 8.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 3, the ice server therea part of this specifiin shown as illustrative of this invention comprises a chute section 10 mounted in the platform wall age chamber, depending upon the size and number of blocks which it is desired to load thereon at one time, for delivery thereby. The machine illustrated comprises two of these racks 17 and 1711, which differ slightly in construction, due to the difference in width of the ice blocks which each is designed to handle. The rack 1'7, which is designed to handle smaller blocks of ice than rack 17a, comprises a pairof opposed anglebars 18 forming a slideway for the blocks of ice and of which the intumed flanges serve the added purpose of supporting cleats 19 mounted in spaced relation upon an endless chain 20 which passes over sprocket wheels 21, 22 at the rear and front ends of the rack, respectively, and thus constitutes means for conveying the blocks along the rack while maintaining them separate from one another to prevent their freezing together.

As is best shown in Fig. 1 the inturned flanges of the angle bars 18 are cut away to form openings 23 in immediate proximity to the sprocket wheels 21 and 22, to allow the cleats 19 to pass from below the slideway to their ice engaging position thereabove and viceyersa, and if desired, downwardly bent tongues 24 may be provided at the forward end of the rear cut away portions to smooth the reception of the cleats 19 by the supporting flanges of the angle bars 18.

The rack 17a likewise comprises side angle members 18a, but for economy of material the inner flanges of these members are not'extended integrally to constitute a support for the cleats 1911, but separate ways 25a are provided having a flat upper surface, and these ways are cut out at 23a to enable the cleats 19a to pass therethrough. The cleats 19a, chain 20a, tongues 24a and sprockets 21a, 22a, may in all respects be similar to cleats 19, chain 20, tongues 24 andsprockets 21, 22; although obviously the spacing of the cleats and other factors of design may be varied to suit the size, shape, or weight of the blocks to be moved thereby.

In order to enable independent movement and independent tightening of the conveyor chains 20, 20a, the idler sprockets 21, 2141, are mounted for independent rotation upon independent shafts 26, 26a, and these shafts are independently mounted in journal blocks 2'7, 27a, adjustable longitudinally of the racks 17, 17a, by suitable means such as adjusting screws 28, clearly indicated in Fig. 2.

To provide for independent drive of the two conveyor chains 20, 20a, the drive sprockets 22, 22a, joumalled for independent movement about a shaft 30, are provided with independent clutching means indicated at 31, 31a, for selectively with a worm 34, driven by-a suitably controlled electric motor 35. To prevent undue strain upon the several parts of the machine, as might occur in case of jamming of the mechanism through improper set up, accident or abuse, a friction clutch 36 may be interposed between the motor 35 and the worm 36, and this clutch may be adjusted to slip at a load in excess of any loadordinarily to be encountered so as to effect disconnection ofcthe drive upon encountering an excessive overload.

In Fig. 6, I have diagrammatically indicated suitable control elements for selectively and automatically actuating the ice serving devices to dispense the size cake desired. In this preferred embodiment of the invention the control is effected almost entirely by electrical means or electro-mechanical means. In Fig. 7, I have indicated a circuit embodying a number of modifications of arrangement of the control means; and of course other control mansjfor example purely mechanical control means, may be employed in lieu of one or more of the control means shown, without departing from my invention.

Referring to Figs. 1 through 5 for the illustrative showing of the several parts, and to Fig. 6 for example of a suitable interrelation thereof for automatic coin initiated operation, in this preferred embodiment of my invention 1 provide as many control circuits as there are racks, which circuits embody independent coin energized stickrelays for energizing circuits operating independent means 60, 60afor engaging the respective clutches 31, 31a, and operating the common motor 35 and an ordinary magnetic brake 70 therefor. Each actuating unit is also provided with independent relay deenergizing means or timing means and with suitable safeguards for the circuits and apparatus. Independent means for preventing the operating of the unit if there is no ice on the rack in position to be delivered, and means for preventing the acceptance of coins by the unit if it is inoperable due to power failure or absence of deliverable ice, are also provided.

Referring to Fig. 6, the main power lines 40 from which operating current is to be drawn are indicated at the top of the diagram, from which the leads 41, 42 extend to the server actuating circuits. Because an ice vault is likely to be moist, I prefer to connect all the operating elements of my device to the neutral or grounded side of the lines, and to break the live side of the circuits between the power source and such elements. Accordingly, in Fig. 6, lead 41 represents the neutral side of the line, and lead 42.the live side, and a switch 43, interposed in the live side of the lines, serves to cut off the potential from the entire system when desired. A signal lamp 44 connected across the lines 41, 42 beyond the switch 43 serves when lighted to indicate that power is being supplied to the system, or by its failure to light, indicates that the power supply to the system is cut ofi.

In conjunction with this signal light I employ means hereinafter described for preventing the acceptance of prepayment coins by all the units in the event that power is off the system and I also employ suitable means for actuating the coin acceptance preventing means for each unit independently to prevent the acceptance of coins by I any unit which does not contain deliverable ice. This last mentioned means consists of suitable no-ice switches for cutting off the power to actuate the respective ice delivering units; the one shown in Fig. 2 being associated with the rack 17, while'that shown in Fig. 5 is associated with the rack 17a.

In the detail description of the parts associated in the circuits for the respective units-1'7, 17a, it will sumce to describe the parts of but one of the units, it being understood that corresponding elements of the other unit, except where the contrary is noted, are identical with those of the unit described. For simplicity, the parts of the unit having the rack 1'7 are all herein designated by reference numerals without subscripts and corresponding parts of theunit having the rack 17a are all designated by corresponding reference numerals having the subscript Referring to Fig. 5, the no-ice switch shown therein comprises an arm 45a extending through a slot in one of the ice supporting flanges 18a of the rack 17a, and which normally is urged to the elevated position shown in Fig. by suitable yielding means such as a spring or counterweight, not shown, to open the circuit in which it is interposed. However, as will be apparent by reference to Figs. '1, 3 and 5, the presence of a block of ice in deliverable position in the front compartment of the conveyor rack 1741 will depress the arm 45a associated with that rack, as

indicated in Fig. 6, to close the circuit controlled thereby.

The switch 46a, opened and closed by the elevation or depression of the arm 45a, may be of any suitable form, and for purposes of illustration I 4 have indicated a switch of the contact point type although obviously a tilting fluid switch such as that commercially known as mercoid switch or any other suitable form of switch could be employed in lieu thereof.

Referring to Fig. 6, in which switch 46 is open while switch 461: is closed to supply power to the circuits of the unit with which it is connected, the live sides 42, 42a of the lines pass from the respective no-ice switches to respective stick relays 47, 47a, which must be energized to close the circuits for operating the motor 35 and the means for coupling the motor drive to operate the unit of the server with which the respective stick relay is associated.

The form of stick relay used in each unit circuit in Fig. 6 comprises a double-pole, single-throw switch, normally open, and closed when the magnetic coil of the relay is energized by closure of the initiating circuit 48. The two poles of the double-pole switch independently complete the two load circuits, one circuit 49, for the common motor 35 and magnetic brake '70, and the other circuit 50 for the corresponding selectively actuated means for engaging the clutch 31. The stick-circuit 51 in the arrangement shown in Fig. 6 is run in parallel with the selective load circuit 50 so as to be operable only by closure of the initiating circuit 48 to energize the stick relay 47, and includes a suitable cut-off switch comprising a pair of timing contacts 52.

Referring to Figs. 2, 3, and 4, which show a suitable form of timing switch and its correlation with the server structure, the timing contacts 52a are mounted one on a fixed post 58a and the other on a movable arm 54a which is mounted on an insulated block 55a suitably attached to the server frame. The contacts 52a are kept closed by a spring 56a (see Fig. 4) which urges the movable arm 54a toward the post 53a. The block 55a is so mounted that the arm 54c extends outwardlyinto the path of the cleats 19a, in position to be struck thereby to open the contacts 52a directly following the discharge of a block of ice from the rack 17a., A fiber block 57a'carried by the arm 54a serves the double purpose of insulating the arm fromthe cleats 19a, andproviding a long wearing and readily replaceable bearing surface for contact therewith.

The means by which the circuits 50 and 50a respectively effect engagement of the clutches 31 and 31a comprise solenoid magnets 60 and 60a, which, as best shown in Fig. 1, act upon spring retracted pull rods 61, 61a to which are pivotally connected clutch shifter yokes 62, 62a which are also pivoted to the frame at 63, 63a and connected to shift the movable clutch members 81, 31aby means of the trunnions and rings 64, 64a. In order to enable adjustment of the tension of the springs tending to pull the clutches 31, 310 out of engagement, I prefer to use tension springs 65, 65a, which are attached to the pull rods 61, 61a, or yokes 62, 62a, and to connect these springs to threaded rods 66, 66a, capable of being adjusted by suitable means, such as wing nuts 67, 67a. For

i moved against the tension of spring 6411 to shift the clutch 31a into engagement, and upon the de-energization of this solenoid the spring 65a retracts the shifter rod 62a. and pull rod 61a to disengage the clutch 31a.

Referring to Fig. 6, it will be apparent that upon energization of the solenoid 60a by closure of the stick-relay 470, power is simultaneously supplied through circuit 49a to the motor 35 and the magnetically retracted brake 70, with the result that driving of the conveyor 20a will be effected until one of the cleats 19a strikes against the arm 54a of the timing switch to open the stick-circuit 51a at the timing contacts 52a. The

resulting de-energization of the stick-relay 47a will cut off the current from the motor 35 and the magnetically retracted brake 70 and will simultaneously allow the spring 65a to disengage the clutch 31a. After disengagement of the clutch 3111 the inertia of the conveyor 20a and the blocks of ice carried thereby will propel the cleats 19a sufficiently to disengage them from the timing contact arm 54a; thus allowing closing of the contacts 52a to prepare the stick-relay for reactuation.

As shown in Fig. 6, it is immaterial whether the initiating circuit 48, 4811 be connected directly to the stick-relay independently of the timing contacts 52, 52a, as in unit "a, or whether it be connected-through these contacts as in the other unit there shown.

As above noted, I prefer to utilize a particular form of coin actuated switch for closing the initiating circuit 48 for energizing the stick-relay 4'? of my server control system. A number of these switches, of I which one is shown in detail in Figs. 8 and 9, may be readily mounted at the edge of the platform 13 as indicated at 71 in Figs. 1 and 2, or in any other convenient location, it being understood that the number of switches corresponds to the number of units in the server.

Referring to Figs. 8 and 9, the switch, which is interposed in the initiating circuit 48 and which a is normally open except when closed by the insertion of the proper coin or coins, comprises an insulated block carrying a resiliently mounted contact 81 and a contact member 82 pivotally mounted as at 83 which has attached thereto a coin pan 84 located below a coin chute 85 to be depressed by coins falling through said chute. The

weight of the contact member 82 and coin pan 84 is so distributed with respect to the pivot 83 that these members normally assume a position with the contact member 82 out of engagement .with the contact 81, as shown. A suitable pin 86 may be utilized to limit the extent to which the resiliently mounted contact 81 may follow the contact member 82 as it draws away to open the initiating circuit after contact has been made by the dropping of coins on the pan 84. Straps 87 or pigtails 88, or both, may be used to electrically connect the two contact members 81 and 82 to suitable binding posts 78, 79 for connection in the circuit 48.

Although itis obvious that well known coin chutes with entrance closures or coin-return openings can be used with other features of my invention without departure therefrom, in con nection with my means for preventing the acceptance of coins by the machine when inoperable to deliver a block of ice, and to adapt my machine for plural coin actuation only, I prefer to utilize a particularly devised coin-transmitter of the slide type and to lock the same against full inward motion when the machine is incapable of delivering ice.

Referring to Figs. 8 through 10 my preferred coin-transmitter comprises a base plate 90 acting as a guide for a coin slide 91, and provided with an aperture 92 aligned'with the coin chute 85. Maximum inward movement of the coin slide is limited by a turned up edge 93 at the rear end of the guide or'base plate 90, and forward movement of the same is limited in any suitable way, as by the contact of a pin 94 carried by the slide 91 against the rear side of a cover plate 95 through which the slide and baseplate project. To render the slide operable to transmit coins to the chute only when two coins, as a nickel and a dime, or two dimes, are inserted therein, I provide two independently operable slide locking lugs 96 pivoted on a pin 9'7 carried by a plate 98, and adapted to drop through slots 99 in said plate and to drop through the coin receiving openings 100 in the slide, and through aligned apertures 101 in the guide plate 90, if said coin receiving openings are not occupied by coins. As these locking lugs 96 act independently, it is clear that the slide cannot be operated unless both coin recesses 100 are occupied by coins. It will also be appreciated that the size of the slide openings 100 will determine the maximum size of coin to be received thereby, and that the apertures 101 may be proportioned to allow coins smaller than those intended to be used to drop out of the slide, so that if a cent should be inserted in a slide opening intended for a larger sized coin, it would merely drop out through the aperture 101 allowing the lug 96 to lock the slide as if no coin had been inserted therein. If desired a coin return chute may be placed under the aperture 101 to return improper coins to the user.

To positively insure dropping 01 the lugs 96 unless proper coins are inserted in the slide openings 100, suitable tensioning means as a leaf spring .102 may be mounted on the plate 98 in retracted.

To prevent the acceptance of coins bythe switch when its corresponding server unit is incapable of delivering ice, as when there is no power on the leads 4142, or when the no-ice switch isopen, I provide a slide-locking pin105 to limit inward movement of the slide 91 sufliciently to prevent it from transmitting coins to the chute 85. A solenoid or magnet 106 connected across the lines of each unit beyond the no-ice switch 46, as shown inFig. 6, serves to retract this looking pin 105 if the machine is supplied with power and if the unit contains deliverable ice.

As above mentioned I have illustrated in Fig.

7 a number of modifications of the actuating system which may be used in whole or in part in lieu of the arrangement shown in Fig. 6. In this modified arrangement the parts of the two units shown are respectively designated by numerals bearing the subscripts b and c.

In this modified system, unit 1), the no-ice switch 46b is not included in the main power lead 42b but is merely placed in-series with the coinslide lock solenoid 106b across the lines, so that the no-ice switch does not cut ofi the entire power supply to the unit, but merely controls the coin lock. Thus when the last block of ice is served by the unit, the unit will be sure to operate until the timing switch 521) is opened, and prioropening of the no-ice switch will not stop the operation of the unit; In addition a cheaper construction of switch may be used with this arrangement,

as under these circumstances the switch 46 shown in Fig. 6 would break the entire operating current, while with this arrangement the switch controls only the current for the solenoid 106.

Furthermore,I have indicated at 47b the arrangement of a double-pole single-throw series coil stick-relay for controlling the supply of current to the motor 35 and clutch actuating solenoid 60b,- and'have shown a series arrangement of the clutch solenoid 60b and the magnetic brake 70.. In the arrangement shown, the current through the holding coil of the stick-relay divides, one portion passing through the timing switch 52b, the clutch solenoid 60b and the magnetic brake 70, while the other portion passes to the motor 35. Opening of the timing switch 52b with the arrangement shown opens only the clutch solenoid portion of the circuit, but the constants of the circuits cause the remaining part of the current, through the motor, to be insufficient to hold the relay closed, so that the relay will open and thus open the motor circuit as well as the clutch solenoidcircuit. 1 Thus with this, arrangement the timing switch alsomay be of cheaper construction as it need not have as great a current carrying capacity as would be required if the lead to the motor were connected to the opposite side of the timer switch so that the clutch and motor portions of the current would both be broken by the timer switch. Also, with this arrangement, the second pole of the stick relay may be bridged or dispensed with as it is merely in series with the first pole of the stick relay which opens theportion of the circuit common to the clutch solenoid and motor leads.

In unit c of Fig. '7, I have indicatedat 107c the arrangement in series with the slide lock solenoid 1060 of a circuit passing through a pair of contacts 108c arranged to be opened upon energization oi the stick-relay-4'7c so that after coins have been'delivered by the slide 916- to initiate the operation of the unit, upon retraction of the slide 910 the slide lock will drop, to prevent the insertion of coins until the unit has completed an operation, thus to insure that no coins will be lost by their insertion before the machine has completed one delivery ,and become ready to make the next delivery. Similarly in unit Fig, 7, I have indicated at 109a a single-pole single-throw switch adapted to be closed upon energization of the clutch operatingsolenoid 600, so that the single-pole singlethrow switch 47c need complete only the circuit for energizing the solenoid 600 which will engage the corresponding clutch 31c and complete the motor circuit 500 thereafter.

The machine may also be operated by push button control where an-attendant is on hand, the push button switches being arranged in any suitable way to start the machine, as by arranging them in initiating circuits to close the stickcircuits 50, 50a, 50b, 500, etc., as indicated in Figs.

6 and '7 at 1101:, 110b and 110a; or to bridge the coin actuated contact members'82, 82a, 82b, 820, etc. to complete the respective initiating circuit 48, 48a, 48b, 480, etc., as indicated in Fig. 6 at 110. The push button switch, if provided, should be equipped with suitable means 111, 11111, 111b,- 1110, etc., to prevent their use in the absence of the attendant, which may comprise any suitable locking -means to prevent operation of the switches, such as an insulating member 111a interposable between the contacts and retractable by a key, or a bolt lock 1110; any suitable means, as a cover or closure 111b to render the push buttons inaccessible; or merely switches as indicated at 111 arranged in series with the push buttons to independently open the push button circuits to render'inefiective the operation ofthe push buttons.

Obviously it will be advantageous to utilize the ple-lock to render inoperable an entire gang f push buttons, as 111a. and 1110. It is also appsent that when using no-ice switches arranged to cut oil the power from the entire unit, as indicated at 46, 46a, the attendant's push button, as well as the coin operated switch, is rendered inoperative to initiate operation of the machine, when it does not contain deliverable me.

With these modifications for example it is apparent that many changes may be made in the arrangement of my server units and-the operating system applied thereto without departing from myinvention, and it is quite clear that my invention is not limited tothe particular details and arrangements specifically disclosed, but comprises all equivalents of the novel association of elements set forth in the appended claims.

1. In a system for actuating ice servers or the like, power leads, a stick relay, means for energizing said stick relay comprising coin controlled mechanismarrangedto close an energizing cir cuit; a driving motor and means for coupling the same to operate said server, circuits controlled by said stick relay for starting said motor and coupling the same to operate said server, and means for deenergizing said stick relay after a predetermined operationof said server for opening the circuits controlled thereby.

2. In an electro-mechanical system for actuating ice servers or the like comprising a plurality of server units, a motor, means for selectively coupling said motor to operate each of said units, circuits for each unit for operating said motor and actuating said selective coupling means for coupling the motor to drive said unit, switches for controlling said circuits, coin controlled means for closing said switches, and automatic means for opening said switches after operation of the unit.

' 3. In an electro-mechanical system for actuating ice servers or the like comprising a plurality of server units, circuits for operating each unit, switches for controlling said circuits, coin controlled mechanism for closing said switches, automatic means for opening said switches after operation of the unit, a single means for preventing the acceptance of coins by said mechanism and means controlling the same to prevent acceptance of coins unless said unit contains denism and means controlling the same to prevent acceptance of coins while said unit is operating and unless said unit contains deliverable ice.

5. In an electro-mechanical system for actuating ice servers or the like comprising a plurality of server units, circuits for operating each unit, switches for controlling said circuits, coin controlled mechanism for closing said switches,

automatic means for opening said switches after operation of the unit, a single means for preventing the acceptance of coins by said mechanism and means controlling the same to prevent acceptance of coins while said unit is operating and unless said unit contains deliverable ice and is supplied with operating power.

6.' The combination in an ice serving machine or the like of a power operated serving unit, coin controlledmechanism for initiating operation of said unit, automatic means for terminating operation of said unit after a discharge operation thereof, a single means for preventing the acceptance of coins by said mechanism, and means controlling the same responsive both to failure of operating power for said unit and to operation of said unit for preventing the acceptance of coins by said mechanism both when said unit is unsupplied with operating power and when said unit is in operation.

7. The combination in an ice serving machine or the likeof a power operated serving unit comprising means for supporting a row of ice blocks in mutually spaced relation and means for sequentially discharging the same, coin controlled mechanism for initiating operation of said unit, automatic means for terminating operation of said unit after a predetermined operation thereof, and means responsive to a vacancy in the row of ice blocks and also responsive to failure of operating power for the unit for preventing the acceptance of coins by said mechanism.

8. An electro-mechanical ice serving system comprising a housing, a plurality of server units isolated within said housing and arranged-to discharge ice therein, means for conducting dis charged ice to the exterior of said housing, a motor, a shaft driven thereby, clutching means'for coupling said shaft to selectively drive said units, circuits for driving said motor and selectively operating said clutching means, means operable from the exterior of said housing for making said circuits, and automatic means for breaking said circuits after a discharge operation of said selectively coupled unit.

9. An electro-mechanical ice serving system comprising a housing, a plurality of ice racks isolated within said housing and provided with conveyors for moving ice blocks therealong and discharging the same, said housing having normally closed means for the passage of discharged ice to the exterior of said housing, a drive shaft, clutches for individually connecting said drive shaft to operate each of said conveyors, a motor connected to drive said drive shaft,-a plurality of circuits each including said motor .and associated with one of said clutches for connecting its associated rack to said motor, means operable from the exterior of said housing for selectively energizing said circuits, and automatic means associated with said racks for deenergizing its associated circuit after a discharge operation of said rack.

10. A system of the class described comprising power leads, an ice rack comprising means for moving blocks of ice therefrom, a switch in said power leads mounted adjacent said ice rack to be closed by the presence of ice thereon, a coin operated contact, a device for transmitting coins thereto, a coin acceptance preventing means associated with said device to prevent the transprovided with spaced cleats, means carried by said frame supporting said cleats and for supporting blocks of ice interposed between said cleats to be maintained separated and be positively moved thereby, a chute for receiving blocks of ice delivered at one end of said supporting means, and electro-mechanical means for intermittently advancing said chain to intermittently slide said blocks of ice along said members toward said chute for delivery thereto.

12. An ice serving machine comprising a frame, a plurality of chains running longitudinally of said frame and provided with spaced cleats, means carried by said frame for supporting blocks of ice interposed between said cleats to be maintained separated and be positively moved thereby, a chute for receiving blocks of ice delivered at one end of said supporting means, and electromechanical means for selectively advancing said chains toward said chute to deliver ice thereto.

13. An ice serving machine comprising a frame, a plurality of chains running longitudinally of said frame and provided with spaced cleats,

. moving blocks of ice therefrom; switches 46, 46a,

etc., associated with said respective leads mounted adjacent said respective ice racks to be closed by the presence of ice thereon; a' plurality of coin operated contacts 82, 82a, etc.; devices 91, 91a, etc., for respectively transmitting 'coins thereto; coin acceptance preventing means 105, 105a, etc.,

respectively associated with said devices to prevent the transmission of coins thereby; solenoids 106, 106a, etc., arranged to be energized by power supplied through said respective switches 46, 46a,

.spaced supporting slide members carried by said etc., for rendering inoperative said respective coin acceptance preventing means 105, 105a, etc.';a plurality oi electro-mechanical means 31, 35, 47,

48, 49, 50; 31, 35, 47a, 48a, 49a, 50a; etc.; selectively controlled by said coin operated contacts 82, 82a, etc.,-for selectively operating said ice moving means; and means 52, 52a, etc.,associated with said racks for stopping the operation of said respective ice moving means after the delivery of a block of ice from said respective rack.

15. A system of the class described comprising a plurality of ice racks 17, 17a, etc., arranged to support ice blocks in longitudinally extending rows, provided with means 19-22, Mia-22a, etc., for sequentially positively discharging the blocks 01' said rows: 9. common driving motor 35: and an electro-mechanical system 31, 42, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 52, 82, 91, 105, 106; 31a, 420, etc.; etc.; for starting and stopping said motor and selectively coupling the same to eil'ect positive selective dis- 20 charge of ice from said racks.

WILLIAM H. CLAYTON. 

